1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ethayer · 12-30-2013, 10:47 PM

Starting a build thread on my 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed pickup. I've owned it for a few years and haven't done much except fix some leaks, restore the radiator, rebuild the card, and tune it up.

ethayer · 12-30-2013, 10:52 PM

First plan is to get the truck adjusted to allow for highway speed driving. I'll need to swap out the rear differential gearing (currently 4.57) and swap out the transmission (currently an SM420 with a granny gear) to something more reasonable like a 700R4.

This is my first project that is anywhere near this scope. I've done a lot of research to try and prepare myself. I've got good shop skills but haven't tested myself on an automobile. I'm definitely going to need some help!

ethayer · 12-30-2013, 10:56 PM

I'll be doing all of this work by myself, so it' going to go slowly and I'll need to come up with methods for safely accomplishing tasks better suited for multiple people.

The first task of this type is the removal of the bed from the frame. The idea is to build a wood frame that will support the bed from my engine hoist and allow me to lift it off the frame.

ethayer · 12-30-2013, 10:59 PM

I built the frame for the bed to rest on out of home-depot lumber. I put it on casters since I've got a tight work-space and will need to relocate it often.

ethayer · 12-30-2013, 11:01 PM

I built the lifting frame out of wood, too.

ethayer · 12-30-2013, 11:05 PM

Got the bed off and onto the platform without too much trouble. I had to grind off a few bolts. Found that the (2) front most bolts were actually bolted through a wood 4x4 post that was bridging the gap between the bed frame and the truck frame. That's weird, not quite sure why that is.

**pdxhall** · 12-30-2013, 11:40 PM

Looking forward to watching this. Good luck. By the way, that's some serious lumber you got working there.

ethayer · 12-30-2013, 11:46 PM

MAJOR over-engineering on the bed stand. I got carried away! I'll probably repurpose the stand as a movable shop table when I'm done since it's so beefy.

rusty76 · 12-31-2013, 05:39 PM

That's a really cool truck and I'm looking forward to this build as well.

TJ's Chevy · 01-01-2014, 01:04 PM

Nice truck! Looking forward to watching this build as well!

12-30-2013, 10:47 PM	#1
ethayer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: red hook, ny Posts: 12	1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed Starting a build thread on my 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed pickup. I've owned it for a few years and haven't done much except fix some leaks, restore the radiator, rebuild the card, and tune it up. Attached Images

12-30-2013, 10:52 PM	#2
ethayer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: red hook, ny Posts: 12	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed First plan is to get the truck adjusted to allow for highway speed driving. I'll need to swap out the rear differential gearing (currently 4.57) and swap out the transmission (currently an SM420 with a granny gear) to something more reasonable like a 700R4. This is my first project that is anywhere near this scope. I've done a lot of research to try and prepare myself. I've got good shop skills but haven't tested myself on an automobile. I'm definitely going to need some help!

12-30-2013, 10:56 PM	#3
ethayer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: red hook, ny Posts: 12	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed I'll be doing all of this work by myself, so it' going to go slowly and I'll need to come up with methods for safely accomplishing tasks better suited for multiple people. The first task of this type is the removal of the bed from the frame. The idea is to build a wood frame that will support the bed from my engine hoist and allow me to lift it off the frame.

12-30-2013, 10:59 PM	#4
ethayer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: red hook, ny Posts: 12	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed I built the frame for the bed to rest on out of home-depot lumber. I put it on casters since I've got a tight work-space and will need to relocate it often. Attached Images

12-30-2013, 11:01 PM	#5
ethayer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: red hook, ny Posts: 12	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed I built the lifting frame out of wood, too. Attached Images

12-30-2013, 11:05 PM	#6
ethayer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: red hook, ny Posts: 12	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed Got the bed off and onto the platform without too much trouble. I had to grind off a few bolts. Found that the (2) front most bolts were actually bolted through a wood 4x4 post that was bridging the gap between the bed frame and the truck frame. That's weird, not quite sure why that is. Attached Images

12-30-2013, 11:40 PM	#7
pdxhall Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Tucson, Arizona Posts: 2,084	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed Looking forward to watching this. Good luck. By the way, that's some serious lumber you got working there. __________________ Sanity'66 http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=515110 Long bed, Fleetside, Small back window I've Done So Much, With So Little, For So Long, That Now I Can Do Anything With Nothing.

12-30-2013, 11:46 PM	#8
ethayer Registered User Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: red hook, ny Posts: 12	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed MAJOR over-engineering on the bed stand. I got carried away! I'll probably repurpose the stand as a movable shop table when I'm done since it's so beefy.

12-31-2013, 05:39 PM	#9
rusty76 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Midway, NC Posts: 3,275	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed That's a really cool truck and I'm looking forward to this build as well. __________________ http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=581873 The low buck build threads. Check'em out! http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=666022 My build thread Crossmembers CC

01-01-2014, 01:04 PM	#10
TJ's Chevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 10,384	Re: 1962 C20 Fleetside Longbed Nice truck! Looking forward to watching this build as well! __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw

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